Five Russians held in France on suspicion of planning attack

MONTPELLIER, France: Five Russians from Chechnya have been detained in southern France on suspicion of preparing an attack, local prosecutors said on Tuesday.

The five suspects were detained on Monday in the town of Beziers near the Mediterranean coast, around 70 kilometers (40 miles) from Montpellier.

The prosecutor said certain “products” had been recovered during their searches, without giving further details.

One of those arrested lived in Beziers, and another “probably” in Montpellier, the prosecutor added. The addresses of the other three were still being sought.

France is on high alert following three days of attacks by jihadists earlier this month in Paris that left 17 dead.

Chechnya, a highly restive and predominantly Muslim region in Russia, has seen the largest demonstrations against cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed published by French satirical weekly Charlie Hebdo last week.

Authorities said about one million people attended the state-organised rally against Charlie Hebdo in Chechnya on Monday.